M3, the healthcare services provider, has expanded its global operations with the acquisition of healthcare informatics firm Vidal Group.

In a move to complement its existing business activities across the UK, US and Asia, M3 is now set to support the growth of Vidal's services focusing on key markets in Europe and Latin America.

Vidal Group currently specialises in providing reference drug information for healthcare professionals, with online databases tailored to cover all the latest treatment information and medical advances.

Now part of the M3 network - which includes M3.com, MDLinx, Medigate, medlive.cn, M3Medical and Doctors.net.uk - the group will also offer market research, digital communications and clinical trials and recruitment services.

Aki Tomaru, board director and chief executive of M3 USA, said: “The addition of the Vidal Group to M3 marks a very significant and important step for M3 in its mission to deliver trusted and high quality medical information and services in key markets across the world to drive forward innovation, improved efficiency and better outcomes in healthcare.”